D-Dimer Quantitative

General Information

Lab Name: D_Dimer Quant
Lab Code: DDI
Epic Name: D-Dimer, Quant
Description: The D-Dimer test is a quantitative immunoturbidimetric test - elevated levels may indicate the presence of pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, arterial thrombosis or DIC.

Additionally, the D-Dimer test can be used in conjunction with a clinical pretest probability assessment model to exclude approximately 95% of pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis when the D-Dimer level is less than 0.5mcg/mL FEU with a low or moderate pretest PE probability.
Synonyms: Fibrin Degredation Products, Fibrin Split Products, XDP
Components

Interpretation

Method

Optical

Reference Range

Units: mcg/mL FEU

Female		Male
Age	Range	Age	Range
0-	0.00-0.59	0-	0.00-0.59

Effective date: 04/26/2006

Ref. Range Notes

Quantitative D-Dimer levels less than 0.5 mcg/mL FEU can be used to exclude a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism or proximal DVT in the setting of low and moderate pretest probability. A negative result does not exclude the possibility of thrombosis, especially if pretest probability is high. This assay is reported in mcg/mL of fibrinogen equivalent units (FEU): 1 mcg/mL of D-dimer is equal to 2 mcg/mL of fibrin converted to D-dimer (FEU).

Interferences and Limitations

Fibrinogen degradation product concentrations greater than 15 ug/ml may lead to an over-estimation of the D-dimer level.

The presence of rheumatoid factor greater than 50 IU/ml may lead to an over-estimation of the D-dimer level.

The presence of anti-bovine albumin and/or anti-mouse antibodies in certain subjects may lead to an over-estimation of D-dimer level. Specimens from patients who have received preparations of mouse monoclonal antibodies for diagnosis or therapy may contain human anti-mouse antibodies (HAMA). Such specimens may lead to an over-estimation of the D-dimer level. Please contact the Laboratory Medicine Resident on call at 206-598-6190 if you have questions about the D-dimer level in any patient that has received preparations of mouse monoclonal antibodies.

This test is insensitive to hemoglobin up to 2g/L, conjugated billrubin up to 290 mg/L, unconjugated billrubin up to 200 mg/L, and unfractionated heparin and low molecular weight heparin up to 2 IU/mL.

Ordering & Collection

Specimen Type: Blood
Collection: 3 or 5 mL BLUE TOP (CITRATE) tube
Handling Instructions: UW-MT/HMC/UW-NW: Laboratory MUST process the specimen within 8 hours of blood collection.

FHCC: Specimens must be processed within 8 hours of collection.

Outside Laboratory: Centrifuge sample for 10 minutes, remove plasma & re-spin plasma for another 10 minutes to remove all platelets. Decant & freeze plasma (minimum 1.0 mL) @ -20°C to -80°C. Transport specimen frozen on dry ice.
Quantity: Requested: Entire sample
Minimum: 1.0 mL Citrated plasma

Processing

Receiving Instructions: Take specimen to COAG lab

Stability: Whole blood samples must be processed within 8 hours of collection. Plasma samples frozen at -70°C or below are good for 1 year.

Misc Sendout

Performance

Lab Department

Coagulation(COAG)

Frequency

Daily

Available STAT?

Yes

Performing Location(s)

HMC	Coagulation 206-520-4600 325 9th Ave, Rm # GWH-47, Seattle, WA 98104-2420
UW-NW	Main Lab 206-668-1344 UW Medical Center – Northwest 1550 N 115th Street, A200 Seattle, WA 98133
FHCC	Fred Hutch Alliance Lab 206-606-1088 825 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98109
UW-MT	Coagulation 206-520-4600 Clinical Lab, Room NW220, University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific street, Seattle, WA 98195

Billing & Coding

CPT Codes: 85379
LOINC: 71427-9
Interfaced Order Code: UOW241
Interfaced Result Code: UOW241